When Dipper regained consciousness, he was laying in an unfamiliar room. He looked around in confusion. Where was he?
He looked to his side to see Kira, who must've fallen asleep holding his hand. He squeezed her hand gently, "Kir?" He asked.
She blinked awake, "Mason?" She mumbled.
"It's me, Kira," He said.
She instantly became more alert, "What the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea how scared I was?" She demanded.
Dipper was also angry, "What was I thinking? What were you thinking? Why would you sacrifice yourself for me after all this time?" He asked, voice breaking.
Kira rolled her eyes, "Because I love you, stupid," She said.
Dipper's expression softened, "I love you too," He said.
She smiled wryly, "Then I guess that makes us even. Now! Mind telling me what you've been up to for the past three years?" She asked. Her tone was bright, but her expression was dark.
He swallowed. That would be a long story to tell. Nevertheless, he took a deep breath and explained everything.
By the end of his story, Kira had tears streaming down her cheeks, "You dumbass! You actually thought I was dead? Y-You really are a d-dork," She sniffled.
He smiled, "Hey. I missed you too. What happened to you? Where have you been?" He asked.
She wiped her eyes and began to explain, "It all began that night a few years ago. I woke up to the Assassins attacking our camp. They- Rune- They were shot on sight. Natatsi, Xar, and I were captured. They ordered us into a cart and threatened to kill Nat if we didn't do what they said. We were all thrown in a shared prison cell. We- I thought- They told us you were dead. I think it was a month we were stuck in there. I'm not sure. Anyways, we dug a hole in the wall of our cell, cliche I know, but it worked. Everything went smoothly until it came to getting out of the front door. Someone had to stay behind and hold the button. Xar volunteered to do it, and Nat refused to leave him. I- I had to leave them behind. I've spent the last three years on the run, hopping from dimension to dimension and joining whatever militia or rebellion who would have me. I've- So many good people have died in front of me. I'll be honest, I didn't know why I was still alive. At least, not until I got a tip from an anonymous, but reliable source, that you were still alive about a year ago. I've been traveling to the corners of the multiverse to find you. I knew it wasn't very rational, but I thought that if there was even the slightest chance that you were still out there-"
"You had to try to find me. You couldn't live with yourself if I was still alive and you did nothing about it. Am I right?" He asked.
She nodded, "Exactly. I've been looking for so long, Mason," Her voice broke with emotion. Dipper squeezed her hand for moral support.
Kira gave him a shaky smile and continued, "Those bastards back there caught me off guard. They put some kind of power suppressor on me. Thanks for the save, by the way," She said.
Dipper nodded, "Anytime," He said.
"And that's pretty much it. I- I really didn't think I'd ever see you again, Mace," She said, choking back a sob.
He gripped her hand tightly and pulled her into a hug. They held onto each other tightly, afraid to let go as the sobbed into each other's shoulders. Dipper still couldn't believe this was really happening. After all these years, all the nights spent crying himself to sleep, he was finally holding the love of his life again.
He wondered briefly if he was dreaming.
You're not dreaming, Pine Tree. You are hungry, though. I think that Amaisha woman is making some food. Bill said.
Dipper realized the demon was right when his stomach gave a fierce growl. He reluctantly pulled away from the hug, "I'm starving. Do you think Doctor Prewett would be opposed to feeding us breakfast?" He asked.
"I think she's making something right now. Can you walk?" Kira asked, standing up and offering her hand.
Dipper turned to his most trustworthy medical consultant, who mentally nodded, You're fine. A little roughed up, but you won't die. He said.
He nodded and took his wife's hand, standing up. The couple walked hand in hand to the kitchen, where Dr. Amaisha Prewett was making stew.
She nodded at him, unfazed by his complete recovery, "You alright?" She asked.
Kira pulled up a chair and sat at the table. Dipper nodded at her, "I'm fine," He said, sitting down next to Kira.
"Thanks again for letting us stay here," He said, "We owe you a great debt,"
She waved him off, "I'm only doing what a decent person would. Besides, Cipher destroyed my family. The Pines family are the most heroic people in the multiverse. Though I have to ask. How exactly did you wind up getting the demon stuck in your head?" She asked.
Dipper immediately reached for his blaster, wary of the hybrid's reaction to this news. He didn't want to shoot anyone, but if Kira's life was put at risk, he would have no other choice. He explained his situation carefully.
When he was finished telling his story, Amaisha nodded, "Of course. I suspected as much. Fear not, I won't try to hurt you or your mate," She promised, "However, I can't let you stay in my house for any longer. Once you are finished eating, I'll have to ask you to leave. You're too much of a liability to remain here for long," She said.
Dipper sighed, "I understand. As soon as we're done eating, we'll be out of your hair. We have somewhere we need to be anyways," He said.
Kira looked at him knowingly, he told her about his plan earlier. They would return to Dipper's new home dimension in time. Then they'd finally have a chance to live a real life together.
The three were generally silent until their meal was served. There was so much to be said between them, Kira and Dipper particularly, but they opted to remain quiet for the time being. There would be time for every conversation later.
When their meal was served, Dipper practically inhaled his stew. He hadn't felt more hungry in his life. He ate three bowls before he was comfortably full.
An offhand comment from Amaisha made his heart stop, "Well, I figured you would be hungry. You've been out for nearly a day and a half," She said.
His spoon clattered to the floor at this news, "What?" He demanded, "But that means- We only have- Six hours! We have to go," He said, standing up and sprinting out of the front door.
Kira wasn't far behind, calling back one last thanks to the hybrid doctor before she too left the dwelling. She quickly caught up with Dipper, "Six hours? That's more than enough time to..." She gasped and stopped dead in her tracks, "Don't tell me you-"
Dipper slowed down and turned to her, "I dropped my pack when we escaped from the creeps that captured you. I didn't have time to go back and grab it," He said.
She groaned, "This is bad. Less than six hours, and we have to get a new dimensional transmitter to boot. Do you have any idea how rare those things have become since the Time Police were reinstigated?" She demanded.
Dipper winced, "Do you think we'll be able to find one?"
She shrugged, "Hard to say. Lottocron Nine is infamous for having all of the rare contraband. We'd have to get very lucky to find one in less than six hours," She said.
He cursed, "Alright. We'd better get going. As much as I hate to say this, we're gonna have to go back down the rabbit hole,"
She nodded, "I'll be fine. As long as we find a transmitter quickly, we might not even run into those creeps," She said.
Dipper allowed himself to feel a bit optimistic, "Yeah. Let's go," He said.
The two began navigating the streets of Lottocron Nine, making their way deeper and deeper into the City of Chance.
They ignored the creepy merchants and hobos begging for money. Everywhere they went, Dipper relied on Bill to see if anyone had an interdimensional transmitter.
No one did.
The two wandered the dark and crowded streets of the Underground for hours, searching everywhere for the item they sought.
Dipper made a habit of checking his watch every five seconds, the hand moving uncomfortably close to the twelve.
Just as he was about to give up hope of ever finding one, Bill startled him with his shriek, Pine Tree! Dipper! Over there! He shouted.
He whipped around to see a shady looking guy at a stand. It was simple enough. The prize was loftily displayed on a shelf, and the man was holding a single gun.
Dipper understood immediately what game this man was playing, Well, Bill. Looks like you're in luck. We are going to be playing Russian Roulette today. He thought, heading to the stand.
Kira noticed what the guy was offering, and followed after Dipper, not noticing the gun at first.
Dipper stood in front of the man, "Hello. You're offering an interdimensional transmitter?" He asked.
The guy nodded, "Are you willing to play for it?" He asked, nudging the gun in the middle of the table.
Kira's eyes widened and she grabbed Dipper's arm, "No. Absolutely not! Of all of the stupid, reckless things you could do, this is by far the worst!" She said.
He shook his head, "We don't have a choice. This guy is the only one we've seen in hours that has what we need. Who knows if we would be able to find another one," He said.
She was adamant, "It's not worth it! The risks outway the reward in every way you look at it," She said, "If you're going to insist on one of us playing for it, at least let me-"
"No!" Dipper hastily cut her off.
Kira was momentarily struck dumb, so he continued, "No. I can't let you do this, Kira. It has to be me," He said.
"Why? Why does it always have to be you?" She demanded, "Why can't you just accept the fact that I care about you? I would die for you, Mason. Without hesitating," She said.
Dipper was firm, "I have to do this. I won't lose, I promise," He said.
She looked resigned, "I can't talk you out of this, can I?" She asked.
He shook his head.
She sighed, "Fine. Go ahead. Risk your stupid life for all I care," She said, trying to hide the fact that she was fighting back tears.
Dipper turned to the man, who was watching interestedly, "I'll play. If I win, I get the transmitter. If you win, I'm wanted dead or alive in at least 53 different dimensions. You can have my bounty as your reward. Kira won't do anything to you either, right?" He asked, looking at her.
She nodded, "I'll let him go," She said, but the expression on her face suggested that the likelihood of that actually happening should he die was rather low.
The man seemed interested, "I agree to your terms. My name is Azab. You may go first, honored guest," He said, sneering a bit at the last words.
Dipper nodded and picked up the gun that was offered to him. He quickly rotated the barrel and placed it against his temple. The safety was already off.
He knew that if he gave himself enough time to think about what he was doing, he would chicken out, so he didn't.
Before he himself knew what he was doing, he pulled the trigger. A moment of blind panic and a, Click!, caused a rush of adrenaline, relief, and fear to jolt his nervous system.
With shaking hands, he passed the gun to the other man.
Azab took a little more time to pull the trigger. Leaving Dipper with enough time to notice how excited Bill was. He suppressed an eyeroll, You were really looking forward to this, weren't you? He asked in a deadpan tone.
Why shouldn't I? It's fun! Bill said, practically bouncing around Dipper's brain in his glee.
I never liked your definition of fun. He informed the dream demon.
Dipper was shaken out of his thoughts by another soft, Click!. It was his turn.
He took a little more time to think this time, stalling slightly as he slowly turned the barrel. He hesitated before holding the gun up to his temple. What were his odds of getting a bullet to the head again? 1 out of 4?
That was 25%. Not very likely an outcome by definition. He was fine. As long as Azab died the next round, he would live to see another day.
After everything he's been through, he refused to let himself get taken out by something so stupid.
On that note, he made his shaking fingers pull the trigger. Click!
He heard Kira let out an audible sigh of relief, and Dipper himself was high on it.
Azab looked a little more nervous now. He wasn't very experienced with loss in this game. He was starting to panic.
Still, true to the nature of the game, he showed no emotion as he pulled the trigger. Dipper felt bad that he was wishing for this man's death, but that's how this game worked. Go with bravery and in peace.
Click!
Dipper froze, and Azab smirked. He knew how bad this was. There was now a 50/50 chance that he would get a bullet in his brain. Part of him wanted to forfeit.
But no. He couldn't let Mabel down. He couldn't let Kira down again. Death was a fate he'd much rather take than willingly breaking either of their hearts.
50/50, huh?
Dipper liked those odds.
He heard a gasp behind him as he pulled the trigger, he shut his eyes tightly as he waited for the verdict. He could tell that Kira was preparing to scream, and Azab was smirking in anticipation for his victory.
Neither party was expecting the small, angelic Click! That followed Dipper's action.
He nearly collapsed with relief, and Kira burst into tears of behind him.
Azab on the other hand, he was silent. His face was a brick wall.
Dipper passed him the gun, "You can still back out if you want. I wouldn't hold it against you," He said.
The man took the weapon and stared at it for a long time. After several minutes, he shook his head, "No thank you. I'm going to see this one through, kid. Goodbye," He said.
Dipper nodded calmly, "Go with bravery and in peace," He said.
Azab smiled slightly as he pulled the trigger, a loud bang followed by the sound of his body hitting the ground rang out in the otherwise silent alley.
The two stared at his body for a minute, silently paying their respects to the dead man.
He played well. I didn't know if we were going to survive that one, Pine Tree! Bill chirped, clearly still high on the adrenaline rush of playing Russian Roulette.
Yes, he did. And I thought you could see the future, Dipper pointed out.
Bill mentally shrugged, Like most politicians, I only see and hear what I want to see and hear. I'm also a pathological liar!
Dipper rolled his eyes, "Believe me, I'm well aware. He said drily.
Kira put a hand on his shoulder, jolting him out of his thoughts, "Mason? We should go," She said gently.
He looked to see that she had tears streaming down her face, and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back and whispered fiercely in his ear, "Don't you ever scare me like that again,"
Dipper smiled slightly, "I won't," He promised.
Unfortunately the universe, the author, was a jerk to Kira and Dipper, and cut their heartwarming moment bitterly short.
Because just then, they heard the dreaded voice of X, "There they are! Get them!"
The two instantly leapt into action. Kira grabbed the transmitter and Dipper grabbed the gun that they just used to play. It was empty, but their pursuers didn't know that.
When they saw that there was a giant crowd chasing after them, they took off running.
They didn't get very far before Dipper tripped, "Ah-" He yelped as he landed hard on the ground.
Kira was exasperated, "Mason, you dumbass!" She screamed as she turned around and picked him up bridal style.
As she carried him and ran away from the angry mob behind them, Dipper shouted instructions.
"Put in the coordinates for the Nightmare Realm!" He said.
Kira was oddly conflicted, "Mason, I-"
There wasn't time to argue, "We can talk about this later! Come on! They're gaining on us!" He warned.
"Alright!" She agreed reluctantly as she punched in the coordinates, "3, 2, 1," She counted down.
"NOW!" He shouted.
Kira set off the device and the two began phasing out of Lottocron Nine. Dipper held up a middle finger from his position in Kira's arms, "Sayonara, suckers!" He cried triumphantly.
Before anyone in the crowd could react, the badass couple winked out of existence.
Five seconds of nausea and pure chaos later, the two appeared in the Nightmare Realm.
Dipper swallowed the bile rising up in his throat and turned to Kira. She seemed unaffected, probably because she was more used to interdimensional travel than he was of late. He checked his watch, a little less than an hour until they were instructed to turn on the portal. He let himself smile a bit, they made it!
That, however, is when he remembered Kira's uncertainty, "What was wrong back there? You seemed like you didn't want to go back to 46'/. Why?" He asked.
Her expression grew sad, "I know you're happy there, Mason, and I would hate to take that away from you, but I don't know if I would be welcome," She admitted.
He shook his head, "That's ridiculous. I know my family, they'll love you," He said.
She frowned, "The Pines family are not the issue here, the rest of the world is. What happens if they figure out what I am? They could very well take me away for study or worse!" She said.
Dipper's eyes widened when he realized what she meant, "Oh. I understand," He said eventually.
"You would understand if I wanted to leave?" She asked warily.
He nodded, "Without a doubt. If that's what you think is best, then I'm in. Where are we going?" He asked.
He hadn't been expecting this, and felt guilty for knowingly leaving Mabel behind again, but he was almost excited by the prospect of reliving the glory days. Besides, he made himself a promise before he left. He wouldn't let Kira go again, no matter what.
She shook her head firmly, "Absolutely not. You found your family. You're happy in your backslash dimension. You found something permanent. I can't let you give that up for me. I won't!" She said.
Kira didn't get it. She didn't understand the aim of his mission. Get Kira back no matter the cost. He grabbed her hands, "Kira, you don't get it. I can't let you go again. My life in that dimension, in any dimension, is nothing without you. You are my happiness. And I refuse to let you leave me again," He said.
Her eyes were filled with tears, "Mason. If we go there, there's no going back. It's forever. If we leave, there is no forever. We'll be wandering until the day we die. What are we supposed to do?" She asked, voice choked at the impossible ultimatum.
He shrugged helplessly, "I have no idea. All I know is, as long as I'm with you, I'll always have a home," He said.
Her brows furrowed, "So you're choosing me over your sister?" She asked.
He looked momentarily conflicted, "I- I know it's selfish. I've come to accept the fact that I'm probably the worst brother in the world. And I know she doesn't deserve any of this. But I can't walk away, I don't know how," He admitted.
Kira was rendered speechless. He would really be willing to give up everything, just to stay by her side?
She looked away, "I need some time to think," She muttered.
Dipper nodded, "You have plenty of time. There's about 30 minutes until the portal goes off," He said.
She nodded and floated away, wanting to be alone with her thoughts.
He was also grateful that he had the chance to think about their impossible decision. Did he want to go home? Absolutely. Did he want to leave Kira under any circumstances? Absolutely not.
So that left him with whatever she chose. Her concerns about the American government and earthen society in general were valid. He shuddered to imagine a fate where he convinced Kira to go to her doom.
But Mabel was waiting for him at home. Not to mention the rest of his family was there too. He really loved all of them and wanted to see them again.
He wanted to keep his promise to his loved ones.
But he also wanted to keep his promise to his wife.
Jesus Christ, why did the universe hate him so much?
He turned to Bill, uncertain as to what his opinion was on the matter, What do you think? Should I stay or should I go? He asked helplessly.
I don't know about you, but I for one don't really want to be stuck in one place forever. Besides, Ki-Ki seems like she's leaning towards staying out here. I know how fond you are of her. Why leave when you finally have a chance to be together again? He asked.
Dipper sighed, It's not that simple. If we stay out here, that's it. We don't get to have anything permanent. We'll be eternally drifting. He pointed out.
So? You didn't seem to have a problem with drifting before? Remember how much fun the old days were? Would reliving them with your badass wife be so bad? Bill asked.
He thought about it for a second. He pictured himself and Kira roaming the multiverse, not having a care in the world, and living on the edge like they were kids. It was more tempting than he liked to admit before he really thought about it.
The problem with the idea was that they weren't those carefree kids anymore. They were married, responsible adults who would want to settle down someday and raise a family.
If they stayed out here, not mentioning the guilt that would follow abandoning his family, but his children and wife would always be in danger. No matter how small the chance of any member of his family getting abducted out here was, that anxiety would never go away.
There would always be that small risk of something going terribly wrong. One mistake, one slip up, one moment of poor judgement could be your death sentence.
Staying out here was a bad decision no matter how you looked at it, so how would he manage to convince Kira of that? He knew that if someone had tried to convince him of that before he got the chance to go home, he wouldn't have listened.
He checked his watch anxiously, 18 minutes.
"Kira?" He called, searching for his wife.
She hadn't gone far, "What's wrong?" She called back, a touch of concern in her voice.
He used his powers to jet over to her, "You know what's wrong. We can't stay out here, Kir, and I think you know it. It's not a sustainable life for anyone. We're not kids anymore, and the glory days are over. We can't be the fantastic five again, no matter how much we wish we could," He said.
She was stunned for about a minute before speech was possible again, "I'm not an idiot, Mason. Of course I know we can't relive the glory days. But I just- I don't know if I can commit to forever," She said.
"You agreed to marry me," Dipper argued, "That's forever, at least in my book,"
She shook her head, "It's not the same thing. I know I can trust you. But I can't trust that dimension. Do you seriously want me to blindly jump into a new life without knowing any feasible way out?" She demanded.
It was a good point, and Dipper had to play his trump card, "If you trust me, then can you trust the world I live in?" He asked, "I know it's not perfect, far from it, but it's home. And I think, if you can make that leap of faith, it could be your home too," He said.
She was silent, "I'll think about it," She finally granted him, "How long?" She asked.
"10 minutes," Dipper said, "Take your time,"
She nodded and turned away, clearly having an internal battle over whether she should stay or go.
He turned to Bill, How was that? Do you think I convinced her? He asked.
You convinced me! How could I want to leave when I just got Shooting Star and Llama together? I want to go back! He said enthusiastically.
Dipper rolled his eyes, Mabel and Pacifica got together by themselves, Bill. You hardly did anything useful. He said.
Bill was deeply offended, Excuse me? Nothing helpful? If it wasn't for me, your sorry head would still be a mile up your ass when it came to those two! You know what, I think I'm going to have to sing the Gratitude Song. He threatened.
He immediately backtracked, No! I'm sorry, okay? You were vital in helping them get together. Just don't sing the Gratitude Song! He begged.
That's better. Bill said.
Dipper breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that Bill wasn't going to sing, Thank the Axolotl, He made the mistake of thinking.
Bill very much heard him, Oh! Looks like I'll have to sing it after all! He said gleefully.
No! Don't! Dipper pleaded, but he was already singing.
Gratitude Song! I'm singing a gratitude song! When Pine Tree's been ungrateful I sing this helpful song. To remind us, let's all sing along. Oh- He broke off midverse as the dimension began to shift.
Dipper's eyes widened, "Kira! It's the portal!" He said.
She looked panicked, "But I'm not ready!" She protested desperately.
He shook his head and grabbed her hand, "There's no time! You're going to have to decide now! What are we going to do!" He asked.
She looked extremely unprepared, "I-" She began.
Before she could finish, a vortex appeared about six feet away from them.
The pressure only raised as the shining white light grew brighter, "I-" She tried again.
"What?" Dipper cried, beginning to feel the desperation that his wife was feeling.
"I don't know!" She wailed, the pressure nearly splitting her in two.
"Kira!" He screamed, knowing that the portal would be closing soon.
"What?" She cried back.
"Do you trust me?" He asked, extending a hand towards his wife as he felt his body being pulled into the glowing vortex.
One second. That's all it took for Kira to be sure.
"I- I trust you, Mason!" She decided, grabbing his hand.
Dipper let a smile grow on his face as the two were pulled into the portal. They were together. Just like when they were kids, and just like they would always be.
Because they were Mason and Kira. Kira and Mason.
And the two of them were finally going to get their happy ending.